Their first meeting—Xiao Jie—"Gold?!"

This was the second day after the start of the fourth phase of the exam. By this time, Kurama had already pocketed the badge of his target, witnessed a spectacular display jointly performed by the renowned Three Beauties of the Hunter World, and even had the good fortune to play a small part in the drama. Yet, like Gon, there remained many examinees who, after a night of relentless training or prolonged stalking, still failed to secure a single badge.

Gon's inability was due to the formidable nature of his target, demanding caution and reverence. As for the others...

Watching the burly, dark-faced man with an explosive afro—who had been following Gon with remarkable stealth, relying on his hunter’s tracking skills—Kurama stroked his chin, surmising that perhaps the man was simply too timid and overcautious.

While this might, from another angle, be seen as an acknowledgment of Gon's strength, it was nonetheless somewhat disgraceful for an adult to stalk a child, choosing not direct confrontation but instead to lurk and wait for an ambush, just like his young quarry.

Even if the man succeeded in the end, the fox spirit found his conduct rather shameful—despite the fact that Gon bore that protagonist’s aura, an almost supernatural buff.

“But speaking of Gon, this child…” Compared to the impression Ging gave, he was surprisingly… not so alike.

The two shared similar facial features, but their hairstyles and, more tellingly, the expressiveness in their eyes—those windows to the soul—were distinct, creating a clear difference between father and son.

To be precise, anyone familiar with them would immediately recognize the familial link, but the unique qualities of each were so evident that it was easy to distinguish between them.

“Perhaps that’s why President Netero, as well as Ging’s other friends whom Gon later met, all bear such goodwill towards the boy. Ging, after all, is infamous for disappearing without a word, driving everyone to exasperation, but when it comes to Gon, they’re all kindly and affectionate.”

Ignoring the fact that Ging was the true link prompting everyone’s special regard for Gon, Kurama, never one to spare his friends from a little malice or mockery, whispered to Mokona on his shoulder.

The little white ball nodded solemnly. “Kurama is right. The child is much cuter than Ging.”

—Mokona still bore a grudge about Ging’s previous attempt to lure him away from Kurama, so he was eager to denounce that “bad man” at every opportunity.

Understanding his companion’s feelings, Kurama couldn’t help but smile and reached out to gently rub him.

“So, shall we just keep following like this? That dark-faced fellow doesn’t seem intent on killing Gon—he’s probably just after the badge.”

After all, battle maniacs like Hisoka, who hunted for the thrill of combat, were rare. Many examinees, having joined hands in adversity, now chose to focus on badge acquisition and refrained from harming their fellow competitors unless absolutely necessary.

—For all its dangers, the Hunter World’s people were, at heart, not so bad.

For some reason, Kurama suddenly thought of the saying, “It’s not the individual, but the world that’s wrong,” and couldn’t suppress a quiet laugh.

Mokona didn’t know why Kurama was laughing alone, but he was genuinely happy to travel with Kurama, especially after the previous night’s deep, soul-baring conversation—an exchange so rare even after two years together. Mokona felt their bond had grown even deeper.

—At this rate, Clow and Yuko’s positions might be in jeopardy.

That was Mokona’s carefree thought. Of course, Rag, his half-self, would always be number one in his heart, but Kurama’s rapid ascent was remarkable.

It seemed like just yesterday they’d met for the first time, yet their companionship had grown so warm and harmonious, as if they’d known each other for a lifetime.

Mokona thought this must be what Yuko once called “affinity”—that mysterious, fated connection, allowing two people to recognize in an instant that they could become the closest of friends.

Just like her and Clow.

It didn’t matter how long they’d known each other; that sense of destiny and understanding was instantly apparent.

Thinking this, Mokona unconsciously snuggled closer to Kurama’s cheek, rubbing gently against the soft skin, then, pointing at the fruit hanging from the roadside trees, began to beg for a treat.

As always, Kurama indulged him unconditionally—provided it wasn’t harmful to his health.

Though they were supposed to be conducting a serious (or so it seemed) covert operation, their pursuit increasingly resembled a leisurely countryside outing.

When Gon finally found Hisoka by following the butterfly’s guidance, and, more nervous than before, began his silent observation and tailing, Kurama and Mokona, concealed by the Illusion Plant, were already preparing to enjoy their lunch.

The principle behind the Illusion Plant was not particularly profound. It lacked a proper name—Kurama simply used this generic term because it was the result of his own careful cultivation, fusing and assimilating various plants with cloaking or hallucinogenic properties into what he considered the ultimate form of concealment, able to hide form, aura, even one’s very presence.

Kurama felt there was no single attribute that could do justice to this plant’s power, so he called it the “Illusion Plant.”

Its function combined the effects of barrier plants, hallucinogens, and silencing flora. First, it created a barrier that, through optical tricks and hallucinogenic effects, completely masked the host within, making them appear as part of the environment. Then, it eliminated scent, traces, and noise, achieving perfect invisibility.

Thus, within this small world, Kurama and Mokona could make as much noise as they liked—even grilling meat was no problem, since all aroma and smoke would be swiftly neutralized by the barrier, escaping all outside detection.

The fox spirit declared this plant, like the Water Sprite Hunter, an absolute necessity for travel—nothing could be more convenient!

—Even the sharp-nosed Hisoka had been fooled time and again.

Not long after lunch, Kurama saw the handsome magician sitting casually under a tree, answering a phone call—no doubt from Illumi, a new friend Kurama had recently made.

Unlike in his previous life, when he’d only watched this scene in the anime, this time, when he heard Hisoka say “Always meddling” after hanging up, he detected not indifference or impatience, but a subtle, unmistakable trace of helplessness…and fondness.

For the first time, Kurama’s long-held conviction that Hisoka and Illumi could never be lovers wavered, ever so slightly.

But soon, an eruption of murderous intent from Hisoka interrupted Kurama’s thoughts. He watched as the man’s handsome face—striking even beneath heavy makeup—suddenly twisted with a terrifying and violent expression. Kurama and Mokona exchanged glances, tacitly acknowledging that their appetites had vanished… (Never mind that they’d just finished lunch.)

***

Under the darkening sky, the jungle lost its daytime lushness and grew shadowy and grim, while Hisoka’s unrestrained killing intent only amplified the tension.

Kurama watched as Gon, trembling and hesitant, nevertheless steeled himself and followed step by step, a small figure radiating courage and determination.

“Just like someone else I know,” Kurama mused. No wonder Ging turned into a doting fool whenever he spoke of Gon.

The fox spirit absently stroked his chin, lost in thought.

During his distraction, the story unfolded swiftly—

Hisoka encountered Gon’s two friends, Kurapika and Leorio. A fierce battle seemed imminent, but Kurapika’s wit and composure defused the crisis.

Afterward, Gon seized the opportunity while Hisoka attacked his next target, using his fishing rod to snatch Hisoka’s badge. Overcome with joy, terror, excitement, and nervousness, he let his guard down and was ambushed by the dark-faced man who’d been tailing him all along. In the end, Gon could only collapse in the grass, helplessly surrendering his badge.

Hisoka then swiftly dispatched the dark-faced man and made his way to Gon. The two had a heated—well, Gon was heated—argument over badge 44.

Hisoka ended the exchange by landing a harsh punch to Gon’s face, leaving him with the words, “Come find me when you can return this punch,” before sauntering away.

Tears, brought on by pain and frustration, welled up in the green-clad boy’s eyes, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall.

In that instant, Gon’s small, battered face overlapped in Kurama’s mind with both Ging and Yusuke, leaving him dazed and, upon regaining his senses, sighing deeply.

Hisoka was gone.

The forest at night was quiet and dark, the chirping of insects crisp in the grass, cold air brushing Gon's swollen cheek and stinging eyes.

Self-loathing at having been outwitted, the humiliation and frustration of being handed a badge by Hisoka as if it were charity, and the choking realization of how far he still had to go to catch up with his father—all these feelings finally found an outlet, bursting forth in tears that would not be held back.

Gon lay silently in the cold grass, sobbing as if to vent all his grievances and sorrow.

At that moment, a slender hand, shining faintly in the moonlight, appeared before him.

“Why are you crying?”

Before he could even feel wary, the gentle voice made Gon pause.

He struggled to look up and saw an impossibly gentle and beautiful face smiling at him.

“Ging’s child wouldn’t give up so easily,” the ethereal youth said softly, his voice as enchanting as a song.

But what caught Gon’s attention most was—

“Ging?!”

He stared in shock.

The other was momentarily taken aback by his reaction but soon smiled even more gently.

“That’s right, Ging.” The handsome youth with soft red curls nodded at him.

***

In the end, Kurama carried Gon back to his temporary cave shelter.

The boy, having received confirmation that Kurama was a friend of Ging’s, finally succumbed to the tranquilizer and fell into a deep sleep. Looking at the swollen, battered face so reminiscent of Ging, Kurama couldn’t bring himself to leave the child alone and helpless, so he brought him back.

He cleaned Gon up, tucked him into a warm bed, and began preparing a late-night snack while Mokona busied himself caring for the patient—changing the warm towel, replenishing the cooling water, reapplying the soothing cream to Gon's bruised cheek.

Mokona seemed to enjoy this immensely, his smile brighter than ever.

Kurama let him be.

But Mokona’s enthusiasm for playing doctor was no match for his love of good food; as soon as Kurama finished cooking, the little one came running over without needing to be called.

The two enjoyed their meal together.

Afterward, the fox spirit tidied up and went to bed early, despite having a patient in the cave.

The next morning, Kurama was awakened by a feeble exclamation: “Ah! Ging’s friend!”

He sat up, still groggy, holding Mokona, and saw the dark-haired boy, face full of excitement and lingering weakness, half-propped in bed, wriggling like a caterpillar.

Kurama burst out laughing.

“No rush, boy,” he said softly. “What do you want to ask? If I know the answer, I’ll tell you everything.”

As he spoke, a radiant (if perhaps too radiant) smile appeared on his face.

The author’s note: The fox spirit wishes to clarify that, under normal circumstances, he won’t meddle with the main character’s storylines, since these are crucial for their growth; outsiders should interfere as little as possible.

And… thank you all! I realize the Hunter Exam arc is getting rather long. I hadn’t planned for it to be, but as I wrote, it just happened. Perhaps, because these are all works by the same author, sparks fly naturally... But since it was pointed out, I’ll make sure to wrap up the Hunter Exam arc in another two or three chapters, then pick up the pace and move on to the next world. If I can’t bear to end it, perhaps I’ll revisit in a side story? [Rolling away~]

This chapter’s illustration is of the fateful encounter—Hisoka and Gon.

Ah… Hisoka, could you explain why, out of all the balloons, only the one you hand to Gon is heart-shaped? [Facepalm]

And, as always, next chapter’s preview: Training x Spectating x Unexpected Pairings. Finally meeting Gon, Kurama will address the questions about Ging—what sort of “training” will he give the young boy, and how will Gon respond? Meanwhile, as the fourth phase draws to a close, giving Gon space to reflect, Kurama decides to spectate the unfolding story. What surprises await? And as the final round of the exam is about to begin, what unexpected pairings will President Netero announce? Look forward to the next chapter: "Kurama the Fox Spirit—Training x Spectating x Unexpected Pairings!"